collector’s item

Angraecopsis parvifloraby Brenda Oviatt and Bill Nerison Diminutive, but no less important

Plants on a tree in the forest of the Nyam- kombe River, Aberfoyle, Honde Valley, Zim- babwe (near the border with Mozambique). Note that most of the plants are single- growth and are pendulous. Photograph by Bart Wursten

346 Orchids may 2016 www.AOS.org In a world where bigger and faster seems to equate with better, we decided to put on the brakes and look for something that often escapes growers’ attention. We were looking for an angraecoid that is often overlooked, and by choosing Angraecopsis parviflora, we discovered a neat little genus containing many deserving species. In our greenhouse, where we focus on many rare and challenging angraecoids, this one has been a cheerful reminder that there are always species to keep you from giving up! And, that there is beauty in small things. If you saw our article aboutErasanthe henrici (Oviatt and Nerison 2016), bring to mind those huge crab-like flowers that were pictured. Had we not slipped black fabric up behind the inflorescence for the feature photographs, you’d have seen the Ago. parviflora hanging near the Erasanthe. The Ago. parviflora was in full bloom at the same time with 47 inflorescences; yet, next to the great Erasanthe, it almost went unnoticed. Almost. We have discovered many species in the genus Angraecopsis to add to our “wish list” but sadly, few are available in the commercial trade or even seen among collectors. Angraecopsis parviflora can be found for sale, but is not widely available. While this is likely due to its viatt diminutive size, it has qualities that give 1 it redeeming features: it is quite easy to o b re n da grow in a rather wide range of conditions, it does not require strict dormancies or treatment to grow or bloom, and a happy plant soon produces offsets becoming a lovely specimen. Another bonus is that it flowers at various times during the year. Part of its ease of culture may relate to its occurrence in nature. Angraecopsis parviflora is endemic to a wide range of habitats and is the most widespread Angraecopsis being found in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion. Though these are all tropical regions, it is found at elevations from 2,000–6,000 feet (600– 1,800 m) and is exposed to a wide range of temperatures. It typically grows on trees, though occasionally on rocks, in montane forests in rather heavy shade. viatt In researching books and looking 2 at images on the Internet, we noticed a o b re n da good bit of variation both in the plants [1] each Erasanthe henrici flower is nearly the size of a many-growth specimen Angraecop- and flowers of this species. This is sis parviflora plant. Grower: Botanica Ltd. especially noticeable when comparing a [2] the plant in the inset, now away from its competition, can better display its 47 inflores- single growth plant, which has few leaves cences — some with flowers open and others to follow over the coming weeks. Grower: that appear long and thin, to a filled- Botanica Ltd. in specimen with numerous growths.

www.AOS.org may 2016 Orchids 347 Based on the description of the flowers, many (including our own) seem within the range, but it made us wonder if it Angraecopsis Grouped based on flower arrangement is confused with any other species. We decided to contact an expert. Johan Species with a long peduncle and flowers close together near the tip of the Hermans (pers. comm.) assures us that inflorescence. this is not likely and that Ago. parviflora is Angraecopsis elliptica Liberia to Uganda fairly variable both in foliage and flower. Angraecopsis gassneri W Zambia He also confirmed our suspicion that Angraecopsis gracillima Uganda to Zambia since the species is so geographically Angraecopsis ischnopus W Trop. Africa to Cameroon, Bioko widespread, this can account for a greater Angraecopsis lisowskii Cameroon range of natural variation — more than, Angraecopsis macrophylla Côte d’Ivoire, SW Uganda, Ethiopia for example, a species that is confined to Angraecopsis parviflora Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania to S Trop. Africa, W a limited growing area. Indian Ocean Friedrich (Fritz) Kränzlin established Angraecopsis pobeguinii Comoros (Njazidja) the genus Angraecopsis in 1900 and Angraecopsis thomensis São Tomé derived the name from their similarity to Angraecopsis tenerrima Tanzania plants in the genus Angraecum by adding Angraecopsis trifurca W Ethiopia, Zimbabwe (Chimanimani Mts.), Comoros the Greek word opsis, meaning likeness or resembling. There are 22 species Species with small flowers, mostly regularly spaced along the inflorescence. currently recognized (WCSPF 2016 and Angraecopsis amaniensis Kenya to S Trop. Africa theplantlist.org 2016), many of which Angraecopsis breviloba Kenya to Tanzania have been transferred from other genera. Angraecopsis cryptantha Cameroon (Mt. Cameroon) Angraecopsis parviflora was added to the Angraecopsis dolabriformis São Tomé genus after being known by many other Angraecopsis hallei Gabon names: Angraecum parviflorum (1822), Angraecopsis holochila Ethiopia to N Uganda Aerobion parviflorum (1826), Oeceoclades Angraecopsis lovettii Tanzania (Image Mt.) parviflora (1833), Listrostachys parviflora Angraecopsis malawiensis Tanzania to Malawi (1877), Epidorkis parviflora (1891), Angraecopsis parva SW Tanzania to N Malawi Saccolabium parviflorum (1895) and Angraecopsis pusilla E D.R. Congo Mystacidium pedunculatum (1897). The Angraecopsis tridens Guinea, Bioko, SW Cameroon species name parviflora, literally means small (parvus) flower (floris). It was Louis-Marie Aubert du Petit-Thouars who assigned the current name in 1914. Petit- Thouars was an eminent French botanist who came from an aristocratic family. In 1792, after an imprisonment of two years during the French Revolution, he was exiled to Madagascar and the nearby islands. He started collecting plant specimens and 10 years later was able to return to France with a collection of approximately 2,000 plants. He did pioneering botanical work with his descriptions of orchids from the region. Not only did he describe and name many plants in addition to orchids, but many plants have been named in his honor (Wikipedia 2016). We reviewed a plethora of plant photos and herbarium sheets, and what struck us about the one on page 350 is that it contains three single-growth plants, with four, 12 and 16 seed capsules each. The seed capsules are larger than the flowers on Ago. parviflora, and since an inflorescence has any flowers, that’s a lot of seed for an individual plant to produce. We wondered, what pollinates it in nature? Being so widespread, we suppose there may be an equally wide-

ranging pollinator or perhaps there are wurste n multiple pollinators of this species — very 3 b art

348 Orchids may 2016 www.AOS.org viatt

4 o b re n da [3] these are the flowers on a plant growing in the wild in Norseland, Vumba Zimbabwe (near the border with Mozambique). It is the same species, but looks quite different. [4] these are flowers of our Angraecopsis parviflora, yellow-green in color. Notice how even on a tiny flower like this, the nectar is visible in its little spur. Grower: Botanica Ltd. little information is available about it. Like both vegetatively and by seed seem This area gets less light than typical many of the angraecoids, this flower has like excellent characteristics to use in phalaenopsis conditions (1,200–2,000 a spur or nectary that offers a sweet treat breeding. Perhaps someone interested fc, 80–90% shade); as low as 630 fc on a to its pollinator. Unlike many of them in creating a hybrid could use this with sunny winter day. We do not move this however, its pollinator does not require a rare, difficult-to-reproduce Aerangis. orchid around in the greenhouse like a super-long proboscis to reach the treat. There is much to be said for hybrid vigor! we do for some species. It seems quite In her book African Orchids, Isobyl la There has been just one AOS award given content in that spot year-round. Croix comments of Ago. parviflora that to Ago. parviflora, a CBR (Certificate of Being in Montana at 46° north latitude “where it occurs, it is usually plentiful Botanical Recognition) given in 2007. and on the west side of the Continental (la Croix and la Croix 1997)” Unlike some CULTURE We keep watch, as we Divide, our winter days are shorter and of the really rare angraecoids, much of do with many of our clump-forming considerably cloudier than someone the seed produced by it must be viable. angraecoids, since there comes a time growing in Texas. That said, we would We also should note that we had some when the center and oldest growth describe its care as “even” throughout the “unauthorized” breeding occur on our deteriorates and they are prone to rot. year. For us, that’s less water in the winter plants at their last blooming. What did we The perfect time to divide them is right but we never let this plant get overly dry. have in our greenhouse that pollinated before this happens! In nature this occurs By keeping a thick layer of Spanish moss them? Unlike some orchids, this species and leads to plants falling apart and (Tillandsia usneoides) over their roots, we appears to be self-fertile. potentially falling to lower branches to prevent over-drying much of the year — There are no records of hybrids grow. especially during the summer. We remove involving Ago. parviflora. Its ease of We grow Ago. parviflora mounted on most of the moss each November, and growth and proclivity to reproduce cork, hanging on a north-facing screen. then let it regrow.

www.AOS.org may 2016 Orchids 349 Observe the quantity of seed capsules at the end of each inflorescence! These were collected in 1887 as Mystacidium pedunculatum on Mount Namuli, the second highest mountain in Mozambique. Note that these are single-growth plants. Courtesy of the Kew Herbarium.

350 Orchids may 2016 www.AOS.org In our research, we found very little the gene pool, the greater the chance registrar, The Royal Horticultural Society) guidance on ideal minimum and maximum of survival. We continue to search for for his regular assistance in providing temperatures for this species, which leads material from other gene pools to ensure hybrid information (or lack thereof in us to believe that, like its variable forms their strength, survival and success in ex this case) and to Marion Allen (The Rocky and extensive range in nature, it is tolerant situ propagation. We encourage everyone Mountain Judging Center) for providing of a wide range of conditions. Ours get a to share pollen, seed, information and award information for each article. winter nighttime low of 58 F (14.4 C) and encouragement! — Brenda Oviatt is an artist and a daytime summer high of 96 F (35.6 C). References Bill Nerison is an architect. They live on We feel that reverse osmosis or rainwater Oviatt, B. and B. Nerison. 2016. Erasanthe henrici. Or- the Clark Fork chids 85(2):112–117. is essential, especially for those grown la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African Orchids in the River in Missoula, mounted. We use reverse osmosis water Wild and in Cultivation. Timber Press, Portland. Montana (a corner and ½ -strength fertilizer regularly with WCSPF. 2016. World Checklist of Selected Plant Families of paradise) with a periodic flush of nonfertilized water. (Orchidaceae). Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gar- their daughter dens, Kew. Published on the Internet, http://apps.kew. We rotate fertilizer formulas and always org/wcsp/home.do. Accessed March 21, 2016. Marisa, son Tristan provide micronutrients. The Plant List 2016. http://www.theplantlist.org. Accessed and an assortment HOPE FOR SURVIVAL We highly March 21, 2016. of animals. They Flora of Zimbabwe and Mozambique 2016. http://www. recommend this neat little species. zimbabweflora.co.zw. Accessed March 21, 2016. have been growing Brenda Oviatt and Angraecopsis parviflora is the most https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Marie Aubert_du_Pe- orchids together for Bill Nerison widely available species in the genus, tit-Thouars. Accessed March 21, 2016. 31 years and in that time have grown in though that’s not saying much. This lack Acknowledgments many settings. For the last 11 years, their of availability threatens the survival of We would like to thank Bart Wursten orchid growing has focused on the ex situ all species not yet in the commercial for allowing us to use his photographs. propagation of endangered angraecoids market. If habitat and pollinator loss He is a major contributor to the Flora and the education of hobbyists and continues at the present rate, they must of Zimbabwe and Flora of Mozambique growers (website: botanicaltd.com). be grown in private collections to prevent websites (zimbabweflora.co.zw 2016). them from becoming extinct. Whether If you’re looking for information on the you are actively involved in reproducing plants in these two countries, these are rare plants, we encourage you to share great sites to visit! Thanks also to Johan information if you see any of them Hermans for his expertise and ongoing available. There are many growers with willingness to answer our angraecoid these on their “wish lists.” The broader questions; to Julian Shaw (orchid hybrid

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